Trimmer blade throw-off mechanism

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for processing continuous business forms stationery assemblies such as a burster, deleaver or the like. The apparatus includes a driving device for driving stationery through the apparatus along a predetermined path of stationery travel and a pair of trimming devices for trimming the longitudinal edges of the stationery. Included is a mounting for one of the knives in each trimming device whereby, when trimming is not required, one knife is moved radially and axially away from the other knife. Also included is a selectively operable structure allowing one knife in each trimmer to be moved axially, but not radially, of the other for so-called &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;margin breaking&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; operations.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,905,262

Stromberg Sept. 16, 1975 [54] TRIMMER BLADE THROW-OFF 3,039,345 6/1962 Euth 83/501 MECHANISM 3,364,803 l/l968 Senftleben 83/503 [75] Inventor: Howard P. Stromberg, Antioch, Ill. Primary Examiner willie G. Abercrombie [73] Assignee: Uarco Incorporated, Barrington, Ill. Attorney, g m g Stellmfln,

Wiles & Wood [22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1974 Appl. No.: 495,065

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Set, No. 426,453, Dec. 20, I973, abandoned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l885 Jordan 83/187 X 7/1958 Gaskell 83/477.l

[57 ABSTRACT An apparatus for processing continuous business forms stationery assemblies such as a burster, deleaver or the like. The apparatus includes a driving device for driving stationery through the apparatus along a predetermined path of stationery travel and a pair of trimming devices for trimming the longitudinal edges of the stationery. Included is a mounting for one of the knives in each trimming device whereby, when trimming is not required, one knife is moved radially and axially away from the other knife. Also included is a selectively operable structure allowing one knife in each trimmer to be moved axially, but not radially, of the other for so-called margin breaking" operations.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures TRIMMER BLADE THROW-OFF NIECI-IANISM CROSS-REFERENC E This application is a continuation-in-part of my commonly assigned, copending application Ser. No. 426,453, filed Dec. 20, 1973, entitled Trimmer Blade Throw-Off Mechanism, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for processing continuous business forms stationery and, more particularly, to such an apparatus including stationery driving and trimming apparatus. Representative prior art includes US. Pat. Nos. 3,039,345; 3,056,324; and 3,185,009.

Increasing labor costs and other factors have resulted in a vast upsurge in the use of continuous business forms stationery assemblies wherein the form is comprised of long webs of superimposed plies of stationery with interleaved transfer material such as carbon sheets or spot carbon. Transverse lines of weakening define individual form lengths in the assembly.

In the use of such forms, after the desired information has been inscribed thereon, various automated operations are thereafter performed. One typical such operation is that of deleaving wherein the various plies defining the form are separated one from each other and the carbon transfer paper, if used, is separated from the various plies of stationery. 4

Another typical operation is that of bursting wherein the continuous business forms assembly is separated into individual lengths along the aforementioned transverse lines of weakening.

A variety of the operations, including the inscription step prior to deleaving and bursting, depend for accuracy on the positive driving of the assembly through an apparatus, such as a printer, in such a way that registry between the various plies making up the assembly is maintained. Such positive driving and registration maintenance are frequently accomplished by providing the assembly with control punching along one or both longitudinal edges of the assembly as is well known. And, in many instances, it is highly desirable to remove the control punched margins at some point in the processing of the form. Thus, many deleavers and bursters in use today are provided with trimming apparatus for trimming the control punched margins from the form as it is being deleaved or burst.

Such trimming devices typically include means whereby the trimming devices may be rendered inoperative when forms are being processed where the trimming of the control punched margin is either unnecessary or not desired. Such apparatus is generally along the lines illustrated in the above identified U.S. Pats. Another typical apparatus is a power trimmer wherein two trimming devices are mounted on opposite sides of a path of stationery travel through an apparatus such as a deleaver or a burster. In such apparatus, pinfeed means are typically coupled with the' trimmers. Thus, when trimming is not required, the trimmers may be moved to a position sufficiently spaced apart to allow the stationery to pass between then. However, this typically precludes the use of a pinfeed drive for the stationery. Thus, there is a real need for a tractor trimmer wherein the trimmer may be rendered inoperative without disabling the pinfeed drive for the stationery. Moreover, it is highly desirable that provision be made for so-called margin breaking" in such apparatus to pro vide maximum flexibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved continuous business form stationery assembly including trimming devices. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide such an apparatus wherein the trimmers can be easily and reliably moved between operative and inoperative positions. An additional object is the provision of such an apparatus wherein the position of two trimmers on opposite sides of a stationery path can be independently varied in such a way as to maximize the efficiency of the setup operation in preparation for the processing of forms. I

An exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objects in an apparatus such as a burster or a deleaver which includes structure defining a path of stationery travel through the apparatus along with a means for driving the stationery through the apparatus along the path. The apparatus includes means for trimming opposed longitudinal edges of the stationery including a pair of trimming devices, one on each side of the path. Means are provided for mounting each of the trimming devices for independent movement towards and away from each other so that the location of the trimming devices with respect to the sides of the path may be selectively and individually adjusted for different stationery widths. A pair of individually and selectively operable, reversible motors, one for each trimming device, are provided for independently moving and adjusting the associated trimming device relative to the associated side of the path.

The stationery driving means of the apparatus preferably includes a pair of tractor assemblies, one incorporated in each trimming device. Each trimming device further includes at least one trimming knife and each trimming device is provided with means for manually adjusting the spacing between the tractor assembly and the trimming knife so that the width of the margin to be trimmed may be easily adjusted.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, each trimming device includes a pair of rotary driven knives which are adapted to be in substantially peripheral contact with each other to define a cutting nip when margins are to be cut from forms being processed. The knives in each trimming device are mounted for relatively axial and radial movement so that the knives may be separated when margins are not to be trimmed.

In the preferred embodiment, one of the knives is journalled for rotation in a relatively fixed position within a frame of the trimming device and the other knife is mounted in the frame for axial and radial movement relative to the first knife. This is accomplished by mounting the axially and radially movable knife on an eccentric element which is axially movable and rotatable relative to the trimmer frame through the provision of a means interconnecting the element and the frame for causing the element to move axially when it is rotated. Thus, the eccentricity of the element, when rotated, is operative-to move one knife radially with respect to the other while the axial movement which the element undergoes also moves the knife axially relative to the other knife to separate the two.

The preferred embodiment may also include provision for margin breaking. In margin breaking, intermittent die cuts running the length of the stationery are used to separate edges from the main body of stationery without cutting the edges by means of trimming blades. The exemplary embodiment accomplishes margin breaking through the provision of a further means whereby one knife can be made to move only axially and not radially of the other to space the same a short distance. When so spaced, they are incapable of cutting the stationery but rather, bend or break the edge from the stationery along the pre-existing line of die cuts therein. In the preferred embodiment, the means interconnecting the eccentric element with the frame is in the form of a nut and provision is made to allow the same to selectively rotate relative to the frame while holding the eccentric element against such rotation. Consequently, only axial movement of one of the blades relative to the other will occur to provide a margin breaking capability.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a continuous business forms stationery assembly processing apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken from the left of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, elevational view of one tractor trimmer assembly made according to the invention, blades having been omitted for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the tractor trimmer assembly taken from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but of a modified embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An exemplary embodiment is illustrated in the drawings and with specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, is seen to include a base, generally designated 10, including a pair of upstanding side plates 12. The base 10 is adapted to be received in any suitable housing, the form of which will vary depending upon whether the processing apparatus is a deleaver, burster, etc.

As illustrated, the base 10 is intended for use with a deleaver and mounts a main drive motor 14 having a rotary output sheave 16 which may be connected by belts (not shown) to those parts of the apparatus requiring rotational power. Included in this category are shafts 18 and 20 which extend across and are journalled in the side plates 12.

In addition to the rotatable shafts l8 and 20, a guide shaft 22 extends between the side plates 12 as does a guide shaft 24. In the case of the latter, as will be seen, the same is provided with rack teeth on a surface thereof.

An infeed form guide 26 guides the continuous business forms stationery assembly to be processed into the apparatus. Just above the guide 26 is a rod 28 which extends between the plates l2 and on which margin guides 30 are rotatably and slidably mounted. The guides 30 are manually adjusted to embrace the margins of a form to be processed. The rod 28 also mounts a brush-like structure 32 which is adapted to engage the form as it enters the apparatus to tension the same. To this end, angular adjustable locking knob 34 is pro vided whereby the anuglar position of the rod 28, and thus the brush 32, may be selectively adjusted and maintained to provide a desired frictional resistance to form passage.

On opposed sides of the apparatus are tractor trimmer devices, each generally designated 36. As will be seen hereinafter, elements of each of the tractor trimmer devices 36 and the guide 26 define a path of stationery travel through the apparatus, which path is illustrated in a dotted line designated P in FIG. 2. The tractor trimmer devices 36 each associated with the shafts 18, 20, 22 and 24 for slidable movement thereon towards and away from each other so that their position with respect to an associated side of the path P of stationery travel may be selectively adjusted. Moreover, the arrangement is such that each device 36 may be moved independently of the other and each is provided with a reversible, electric motor 38 which may be selectively energized to effect such individual movement.

With the foregoing general organization in mind. the tractor trimmer units 36 will now be described in detail. However, since the right-hand unit 36 is but a mirror image of the left-hand unit 36, only the former will be specifically described.

Referring first to FIG. 3, each tractor trimmer unit 36 includes a carriage 40 formed of a casting or the like in the configuration illustrated. Secured to the carriage 40, in depending relation, is the reversible motor 38 which is provided with an internal reduction gear train 42 terminating in a rotary output shaft 44. As seen in FIG. 5, the shaft 44 mounts a spur gear 46 which is in mesh with teeth 48 formed on at least one side of the shaft 24. Since, as mentioned previously, each unit is slidably mounted on each of the shafts 1824, it will be appreciated that energization of the motor 38 will slide the associated unit 36 along the four shafts, the direction of such movement being dependent upon the direction of energization of the motor 38. By reason of the presence of the internal reduction gear train 42, such movement will occur at a relatively slow speed so as to enable precision adjustment of the position of each unit 36 relative to the side of the path P of stationery travel.

Preferably, the motors 38 are independently controlled by a control system such as that illustrated in block form in FIG. 6. A source of power 50 is connected to each of the reversible motors 38 via actuating devices 52 and 54, there being one such device 52 and 54 for each of'the motors 38. Preferably, the devices 52 and 54 comprise normally open, spring loaded switches which may be closed manually through the application of pressure and which will automatically return to an open condition upon the release of such pressure. Of course, each of the devices 52 and 54 is operable independently of the others and the arrangement is further such that the actuation of either of the devices 52 will cause the associated one of the units 36 to move inwardly toward the center of the apparatus while corresponding actuation of the device 54 will cause the associated one of the units 36 to move outwardly toward the side plates 12 (FIG. 1.). While not shown it may be desirable for motor protection, to provide an electrical or mechanical interlock between the devices 52 and 54 for each motor 38 so as to preclude simultaneous energization of both windings of an individual motor 38.

Near the uppermost end of the casting 40, a bushing 62, journals in idler relationship, a sprocket 64 for rota.- tion concentrically about the shaft 18. At the end of the casting 40, opposite from the shaft 18, an opening 66 is provided through which the shaft passes. A sprocket 68 is mounted on the shaft 20 and secured to the casting 40 against axial movement relative thereto by any suitable means.

Trained about the sprockets 64 and. 68 is a tractor chain 70 having pins 72 mounted to one side thereof, which pins may be received in thecontrol punchopenings in the control punch margins on one longitudinal edge of a continuous business forms assembly. The chain 70 is driven by rotation of the shaft 20. As seen in FIG. 5, the sprocket 68 carries a key-74 which extends into a longitudinal recess 76 in the shaft 20. Thus, the sprocket 68 is slidable with the unit 36 axially on the shaft 20 but is driven thereby to drive the chain 70.

The upper run of the chain 70 is directed along the path P of stationery travel between the sprockets 64 and 68.

With reference to-FIG. 4, the bushing 62 is seen to include a central opening 80 through which a bushing 82 extends. The bushing 82 is journalled in a casting.84 by means of bearings 86 and further includes an inwardly extending key 88 which is received in a longitudinal slot 90 in the shaft 18. It will be-recalled that the shaft 18 is one of the driven shafts in the apparatus and, accordingly, when the same is rotated, the bushing 82 will rotate therewith. v.

One end of the bushing 82 mounts a disc-like cutting blade or knife 92 for rotation therewith. The knife 92 has a circular periphery and in substantial peripheral engagement therewith is a similar knife 94, the latter differing'principa'lly in the provision of a pointededge 96. The knife 94 is mounted on one end of a bushing 98, the other end which mounts a gear 100. The gear 100, when the knives 92 and 94 are in substantial peripheral engagement as illustrated in FIG. 4, will be meshed with a gear 102 secured to the bushing 82. As a result, when the shaft 18 is driven, the knives 92 and 94 will be driven in opposite directions so as to provide a cutting action at a cutting nip 104 at their point of contact. I

The bushing 98 is journalled in a sleeve bearing 106 which in turn is fixedly received within an eccentric bore 108 in a cylindrical element 110. That is, the center of the bore 108 and the construction of the bushing 106 is such that the axis of rotation of the knife 94 is spaced from the center of the cylindrical element 1 10.

The cylindrical element 110 is threaded as at 1 12 on its cylindrical surface, which threads mate with an interior threaded surface 114 of a sleeve 1 16 affixed to the casting 84 near the upper end thereof. In addition, a

manual actuator such as a handle 118 is secured to the nature of the mounting the bushing 98 within the cylindrical element 110, rotation of the latter will cause the knife 94 tomove radially away from the knife 92. In addition, because the cylindrical element is received, in threads within the bore 114, there will also be axial movement of the blade 94 away from the knife 92. Asa result, by rotating the handle 118, the knives 92 and 94will undergo relative rotation between a position suchas that shown in FIG. 4 wherein they are in a, cutting or operative position and a second position wherein no suchoperative relationship will be present. Specifically, and with reference to FIG. 4, in the inoperative position, the knife 94 will be shifted to the position-shown in the dotted lines well spaced from the knife92. I

For retention purposes, an arcute extension 120 of the handle l18-may beprovided with first and second detents 122 and 124 in the form of notches. A spring 126 may be secured to the casting 84 and arranged to lodge in notches 122 or 124. Ina preferred embodiment, a spring 128 interconnecting the casting 84 and any suitable portion of the cylindrical element 110 for elements movable therewith may be provided to provide a spring bias towards the inoperative position.

The invention also includes means whereby the location of the cutting nip 104 relative to the tractor chain 70 may be adjusted as desired so as to vary the width of the margin to be trimmed. With reference to FIG. 5, a plate 140, secured by any suitable means to the carriage 40 inclucles an opening (not shown) through which a vertically directed shaft 142 extends to impale a'knob'144. The lower end of the shaft 142 is journalled 'by an ear l46struck from aplate 148 and mounts a gear 150:The gear 150 in turn is in engagement witha gear 152 which is received on a "partially threadedstubshaft'154 secured'to the casting 40. The

shaft 154 in addition 'to being threaded on its upper and lower surfaces, includes flat guide surfaces 156 which are embraced by arms 158 formed in the two legs 160 (only one of which is shown) of a U-shaped mounting bracket 162. The base 164 of the U-shaped mounting bracket is secured by any suitable means to the casting 84 andthe gear 152 is located between the legs 160 of the bracket 16 2.

As a result of the foregoing construction, rotation of the knob 144 will ultimately rotate the gear 152 to cause the same to move along the threaded portions of the shaft 154. Since the gear l52'is confined by the legs 160, the bracket 162, and thus the casting 84, will move on the shafts 18 and 22, carrying the knives 92 V, and 94 therewith. Since the position of the carriage including the casting 40 will be fixed, assuming the motor -made, it will be retained notwithstanding vibration of the apparatus during use.

A modified embodiment of a trimmer mechanism made according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 and is particularly suited for use in margin breaking operations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many continuous business forms have a longitudinally extending margin on one or both sides of the form separated from the main body of the form by a discontinuous or intermittent die cut. Frequently, it is desirable to remove such margins upon the bursting of continuous forms without'actually trimming the margins by removing the margin along the die cut.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a modification for this purpose. For the most part, the structure illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is very nearly identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and, accordingly, for the purpose of brevity. like elements have been given like, but primed, reference numerals.

Referring specifically to FIG. 7, the upper portion of the casting 84' includes a threaded bore 200 for threadingly receiving a screw shaft 202 having a knob 204 thereon. By turning the knob 204, the screw shaft 202 may be caused to lock or unlock the sleeve 1 16' against rotation within the casting 84. When combined axial and radial movement of the blade 94' relative to the blade 92' is desired, the sleeve 116' will be locked against such rotation. However, when only axial movement of the blade 94' relative to the blade 92 is desired as for margin breaking, the knob 204 may be appropri ately rotated to unlock the sleeve 116' and permit the same to rotate within the casting 84.

As best seen in FIG. 8, a small actuator 206 is secured to the sleeve 116. By movement of the actuator 206, the sleeve 116 may be caused to rotate as mentioned previously. During such rotation, the cylindrical element 1 10' will be held against rotation as the spring 126' is lodged in the notch 124'. Consequently, relative rotation will be effected and due to the threaded connection between the sleeve 1 16 and the cylindrical element 110, the latter will not rotate, but will move axially to thereby move the upper blade 94 to a position such as that shown in phantom in FIG. 7. Preferably, the parts are arranged so that the separation between the blades 94' and 92 will be on the order of 0.025 inches. A form may then be fed into the apparatus such that the die cut is located in the gap between the two blades for margin breaking purposes.

FIG. 7 also illustrates a preferred structure for use in mechanisms such as bursters where relatively thin forms which may have but a single ply are processed. In particular, the sleeve bearing 106 employed in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 is omitted and a bearing 210 employed in lieu thereof. The bearing 210 is forcefit into the bore 108 in the element 110'. A slip bearing 212 is employed adjacent the knife 94 and includes a key 214 extending into a notch 216 in the cylindrical element 110 to preclude the bearing 212 from rotating but permitting axial movement of the same. A coil spring 218 is interposed between the bearings 210 and 212 to bias the latter, and thus the blade 94' to the right as viewed in FIG. 7. The resilient biasing allows the blades 94 and 92 to be relatively self-aligning thereby enhancing the operation of the device whether being used for trimming or for margin breaking.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an apparatus made according to the invention achieves the objects previously specified in terms of providing independent, powered adjustment of the position of the trimmers within the machine to enhance setup efficiency. Moreover, thesame provides a simple but effective means whereby the trimmers may be disengaged when a particular form being processed does not require trimming.

I claim 1. In a continuous business forms stationary processing apparatus, the combination comprising.

means defining a path of stationery travel through said apparatus;

means for driving stationery through said apparatus along said path; and

means for trimming at least one longitudinal edge of the stationery including a pair of rotary driven knives adapted to be in substantially peripheral contact with each other to define a cutting nip 7 along one edge of said path, means mounting said knives for axial and radial movement relative to each other, and means, including a single actuator for simultaneously effecting said axial and radial relative movement.

2. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim I wherein said trimming means includes a frame, and one of said knives is journalled for rotation in a relatively fixed position within said frame, and the other of said knives is mounted in said frame for said axial and radial relative movement relative to said one knife and said frame.

3. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said other knife is mounted on said frame by an axially movable, rotatable, eccentric element, and means interconnecting said element and said frame for causing said element to move axially when said element is rotated, and said single actuator comprises a handle secured to said element.

4. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said other knife is journalled by said element.

5. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 3 further including selectively operable means for moving said interconnecting means relative to said frame to move said element axially and non-rotatively to axially space said knives for margin breaking.

6. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said interconnecting means comprises an internally threaded nut journalled by said frame and said eccentric element has a threaded surface, threadingly received within said nut; and said selectively operable means comprises a first detent for normally holding said nut against rotation relative to said frame, a second detent operable to hold said eccentric element against rotation. and an actuator for rotating said nut upon release of said first detent.

7. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 1 further including selectively operable means for effecting axial movement only between said knives to condition said apparatus for margin breaking. 

1. In a continuous business forms stationary processing apparatus, the combination comprising: means defining a path of stationery travel through said apparatus; means for driving stationery through said apparatus along said path; and means for trimming at least one longitudinal edge of the stationery including a pair of rotary driven knives adapted to be in substantially peripheral contact with each other to define a cutting nip along one edge of said path, means mounting said knives for axial and radial movement relative to each other, and means, including a single actuator for simultaneously effecting said axial and radial relative movement.
 2. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trimming means includes a frame, and one of said knives is journalled for rotation in a relatively fixed position within said frame, and the other of said knives is mounted in said frame for said axial and radial relative movement relative to said one knife and said frame.
 3. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said other knife is mounted on said frame by an axially movable, rotatable, eccentric element, and means interconnecting said element and said frame for causing said element to move axially when said element is rotated, and said single actuator comprises a handle secured to said element.
 4. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said other knife is journalled by said element.
 5. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 3 further including selectively operable means for moving said interconnecting means relative to said frame to move said element axially and non-rotatively to axially space said knives for margin breaking.
 6. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said interconnecting means comprises an internally threaded nut journalled by said frame and said eccentric element has a threaded surface, threadingly received within said nut; and said selectively operable means comprises a first detent for normally holding said nut against rotation relative to said frame, a second detent operable to hold said eccentric element against rotation, and an actuator for rotating said nut upon release of said first detent.
 7. The continuous business forms stationery processing apparatus of claim 1 further including selectively operable means for effecting axial movement only between said knives to condition said apparatus for margin breaking. 